Emily Featherston is a unique Campus Celebrity — because she’s technically not on our campus! Emily’s studying abroad in London this semester, but keeping her virtual feet rooted in NYC by blogging for HerCampus main page. She also promotes all things HerCampus as the Publicity Coordinator, which includes keeping the HC Fordham Tumblr looking gorgeous! Read Emily’s adventures in London here, and check in weekly to see what she’s up to across the pond!
Where are you from?
Bellingham, MA
What year are you?
I am a junior.
What is your major?
I am a communications and media studies major with a concentration in journalism, and a minor in political science.
What activities are you involved in?
I am a university ambassador for Rose Hill Society, an e-board member of Right to Play, Publicity Coordinator for the wonderful Her Campus Fordham, and I also volunteer at the Rosedale Center.
Favorite movie:
It is probably a tie between The Notebook and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I am a fan of classic romantic stories, even if they are cliché!
Favorite band/musician: My favorite band is Mumford and Sons, and my favorite solo artist is Adele.
Favorite book:
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
Favorite TV show:
Gilmore Girls is my all-time favorite television show, but as for a show still on the air, Doctor Who is a close second.
How did you decide to come to Fordham?
Interestingly enough, I almost didn’t apply to Fordham. I had sent in all of my college applications before Christmas, all thirteen, and I had my heart set on Georgetown. When I got waitlisted to Georgetown early action I began to panic that I wouldn’t be happy at any of the other schools I applied to as back-ups. So I applied to Fordham two days before the deadline on a whim after several people had told me to check it out. When I was accepted I came down to visit and I absolutely fell in love with the campus and New York City. After that my mind was made up!
Do you have any tips for students who are trying to balance schoolwork, extracurriculars, and other obligations like internships?
It’s definitely difficult. I think the most important thing is to know your own limits, and only commit to things that you are truly dedicated to and want to spend the time working on. Also to make sure that you fit in time for yourself in your schedule. For me, I need to workout at least a few times a week to keep my sanity. So I think it’s a balance of being happy in the obligations and activities you are committed to, while still leaving some “you time” to relax.
What’s your favorite thing about being abroad?
I am exposed to new ideas and experiences constantly. Every day I make it a goal to learn something new or go somewhere I haven’t been before. I am immersed in an entirely different culture and it is wonderful and fascinating to grow and learn in that environment.
What’s your least favorite thing about being abroad?
There have definitely been some struggles to adjust to, but most of them have been resolved. The most difficult balance has probably been the fact that I still have coursework, funny enough. Don’t get me wrong, the courses I am taking are extremely interesting and my professors are wonderful, but it is definitely hard to focus and get work done. In your mind you are constantly reminded that you are in another country and you just want to be out exploring! My other least favorite thing is how expensive laundry is! I definitely miss the free laundry services at Fordham, even if a machine or two is always broken. It cost me 12 pounds to do 2 small loads of laundry, which is about $20!
Do you have a favorite Fordham memory?
This is hard… Some of my favorites are probably our Tuesday Law & Order SVU marathons in the Princess Palace (my apartment in Walsh last semester). Another would just have to be freshman year in Queen’s Court, I have so many wonderful memories with the friends I made there.
Do you have a favorite NYC memory?
Freshman year Halloween is one of my favorite NYC memories. A bunch of us just took the train into Times Square and walked around in our costumes. I don’t know how exactly to describe it but there was singing on the subway, a Ferris wheel ride in Toys R Us, and I was mistaken for some sort of Chinese celebrity. It is definitely something that could only happen in NYC and it is a great memory.
What’s your favorite class you’ve taken at Fordham?
Probably Media and the Arts with Professor Wachtel or Media and Public Opinion with Professor McDermott.
What’s your least favorite class you’ve taken at Fordham?
Computer Science first semester freshman year, I am not a science/math person, and I am definitely not a computer science person.
Where’s your favorite spot on campus?
This is going to make me sound like a nerd, but I have a spot in the library at a back table on the second floor that overlooks the path to Duane library and Martyr’s lawn and it is just one of the most peaceful places for me on campus, and one of the only places I can focus enough to get work done.
If you could give one piece of advice to an incoming Fordham freshman, what would it be?
College can be scary and intimidating. I know it was for me coming from a small town and moving to New York City, but my advice would be to take advantage of every opportunity and definitely take yourself out of your comfort zone. The four years really do fly by faster than you think, so try different things and discover your true interests and passion because this is the time in your life that the world is literally at your feet.
What’s your dream job?
I am honestly still working on my dream job. I think it would be working in public relations a large global firm, maybe even an international political organization, as I still am really interested by the political sphere. Living in the UK for the last month has increased my interest in foreign relations and global politics.
What’s it like blogging for the HerCampus main page?
It’s really fun! I have always truly enjoyed writing for HerCampus Fordham, so I looked forward to blogging for the national site. It’s been great to share my study abroad experience with friends and family, as well as collegiettes across the country! It is also really interesting to read through the other Study Abroad blogger’s posts and see what they are up to!
What’s on your abroad bucket list? ?
My study abroad bucket list is so long! Thankfully I have already begun to cross some things off. The biggest ones still to go are:
- Visit Edinburgh, Paris, and Dublin (Also northern Italy and Spain but those are further down on the list)
- To see as many castles as possible
- To travel somewhere solo
- To Meet Prince Harry (I am working on it…)
- And the #1 thing on my study abroad bucket list is to live spontaneously! For those who know me I am definitely a planner so the biggest goal on my bucket list was to test my limits and go wherever life takes me.
What do you think the best part of a Jesuit education is? ?
My favorite Jesuit ideal is the concept of “curis personalis” (A must-know phrase for any Rose Hill ambassador). The idea of “care for the whole person”. I think our Jesuit education at Fordham works best at making us extremely well-rounded students by the time we graduate. From the core curriculum, to emphasis on service, and programs like Global Outreach, I feel that- more than other schools -a Jesuit education focuses on the many lessons you can learn outside the classroom (as well as inside)!
Who is your favorite professor at Fordham?
This is probably a tie between Reg Kim and Monika McDermott. I have taken two classes with each professor. Reg was a Grad Student Theology professor who is honestly one of the most interesting lecturers I have ever had, as well as one of the most caring professors. Professor McDermott is an incredible political scientist as well as extremely humorous and approachable.
What’s one thing everyone would be surprised to learn about you?
Well, coming into freshman year I was political science on the pre-law track. I had wanted to be nothing but a lawyer since I was 12 years old. Then after freshman year of college my future plans had completed changed, and I switched to Communications, with no plans for law school in the future.
Pick one!
Bronx Zoo or Botanical Gardens? This is going to sound horrible since I am now a junior, but I still have not been to the Bronx Zoo! So I will have to say Botans until I go…
Arthur Ave/Fordham Road? ? Arthur Ave
Cafeteria or Grille? Grille
Conway or Dr. Jay’s? ?Dr. Jay’s
RamVan or Subway? ?RamVan
Duane Reade or WalGreen’s? ?WalGreens
Met or MoMA? Met
Hot Dog or Bagel? Bagel
Broadway or Off-Broadway? Broadway
Radio City or Madison Square Garden? Madison Sqaure Garden
Central Park or Brooklyn Bridge? Central Park